History of Manhole covers

It's amazing really, how many times we walk over manholes and utility holes, but have you ever thought about their history, where and how they are made, or even why they are decorated? Why bother?, they are just ignored anyway. According to Sewerhistory.org, “Manhole covers” began as slabs of stone or wood which allowed access to covered trenches that carried sewage. This basic design was in use from 3500 BCE through the 1750s-1850s CE. In the nineteenth century, modern manholes and the modern manhole cover were developed. For the last 200+ years, iron works in the United States have made cast-iron manhole covers, some weighing as much as 300 lbs. each, some rectangular, some square, but for the most part, round. The oldest available foundry catalog for manhole covers dates back to 1860. 

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Not a whole lot has really changed in the years between the 1870s and now relative to the philosophy of manhole design, though materials and installation techniques have changed. The early designers had an amazingly good sense of what was needed.

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Today, manhole covers are manufactured in many countries. Though, most manhole covers that I've seen with a "Made in....." are either from Indiana, or India. To see a short video on how manhole covers are made in India today, click here

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With all of that molten iron splashing about, are these guys seriously not wearing shoes? That's impressive.